Switching to an organic and healthy lifestyle is often an intimidating change. People always assume that it is expensive, and it actually can be quite costly. Pre-made goods that are all organic and cruelty-free add up in cost quickly. But you can make some simple changes to your lifestyle that involve a few everyday products which are not only cost effective, but also easy and healthy.

1. Handmade Toothpaste
   It may seem bizarre, but handmade toothpaste is incredibly cheap and healthy. Store-bought toothpastes are full of scary chemicals and they produce a lot of waste. Your own toothpaste requires a sterile jar, baking soda, coconut oil, essential oils and stevia. Coconut oil is a great basis for handmade toothpaste because it is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent — so it’ll kill bacteria in your mouth while you brush, and can help you fight off gingivitis. Start with a 50/50 mix of coconut oil and baking soda, then add essential oils like spearmint or peppermint for flavor and a bit of stevia if you like for sweetness. It’s cheap and healthy.
2. Make Your Own Sauces
   Organic sauces are expensive. Salad dressings, condiments, pasta sauces and other sauces can quickly add a huge chunk to your grocery bill. Making your own is fast, easy and they taste even better homemade. You can control the amount of sodium used as well as make sure nothing goes to waste in your fridge. And leftovers can be frozen too. You should be able to find a blog or two with tons of healthy sauce recipes.
3. Cleaning Products
   Cleaning products are some of the most toxic household purchases. They come with a list of unknown ingredients and cause numerous breathing problems. They are generally not safe for children or pets too. Switching to environmentally friendly cleaners can cost a bundle. Making your own is easy and dirt cheap. Vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils make the perfect cleaners for all surfaces in your home.
4. Soap
   Liquid soaps are easy to make, and glycerin soaps can also be made easily. You can use organic and natural ingredients and add your own fragrance oils too. Your homemade soaps will cost a fraction of what you would pay in the store, and they serve the same purpose. Plus they make really nice gifts, especially if you use fun molds or stamps. But don’t worry if they do not suds up like conventional soaps — that is to be expected from natural products that don’t contain lots of sud-producing chemicals.
   

Making your own products and food items at home doesn’t have to take a lot of time. The above ideas will take you less than 10 minutes each, and you won’t be able to stop enjoying the feeling of living organically.

What are you going to do with all your extra money and time once you implement these changes and more? Maybe you’ll decide to buy a house instead of rent. Or pay off your student loans. Or you might just want to try starting new hobbies or following a dream, like becoming a musician or singer (and TakeLessons can definitely help with that.)

Whatever you decide to do, you can rest easier at night, knowing that you are doing something better for the environment, keeping yourself and your family healthier and saving money all at the same time. Living naturally is only as complicated and expensive as you let it become!